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The right motorcycle gear – What is important?

(Source: https://www.pexels.com/de-de/foto/strasse-mann-bewegung-reiten-7374062/)

It is not always in a motorcycle rider’s hands whether their trip is safe. Don’t rely entirely on your skill as a rider. When worse comes to worst and an accident happens when you are riding a motorcycle, you want to make sure the gear you wear offers enough protection against impacts, cuts, and other injuries. Here are the 5 most indispensable pieces of gear for a motorcycle ride.

5 Pieces of Gear You Need to Ride a Motorcycle

Motorcycle gear protects the most vulnerable body parts during a motorcycle ride. Additionally, it provides the needed comfort to ride for a long time, remain focused and keep tight control. Next to its protection from impacts and cuts, it shields from weather influences like wind, sunshine, and rain.

Providers like ChromeBurner offer any motorcycle gear you could want. Their selection typically ranges from full-protection gear to more casual protection. Depending on your needs, you can choose different options.

Don’t skip out on wearing protective gear, even for short rides. Statistics suggest that most accidents riders get injured in happen less than 10 miles from their home. Even for commutes or errands, you can never predict when an accident will occur.

Helmets

Helmets are made from impact absorbing foam, foam padding and a hard shell. They come in different forms. Most prominently those are:

  • Full-Face Helmets
  • Modular Helmets
  • Open-Face Helmets

Full-face and modular helmets include a chin bar and face shield. In the modular version, the bar and visor are hinged and can be flipped up, making it more versatile. The open-face helmet has no option to protect your chin and nose. Since many impacts still hit the face and chin area, you should always wear a full-face or modular helmet with its chin bar lowered.

  • Never buy used motorcycle helmets! 

When buying privately, you don’t know the helmet’s history. There are two reasons why that is bad:

  1. A helmet that has been impacted (in an accident or a drop) can lose its effectiveness, even if no damage is visible.
  2. The absorbing foam loses its ability to absorb and redistribute impacts after 5 years. That’s why helmets should be exchanged for new helmets at least every 5 years.

A private seller can hide both the helmet’s age and possible impacts from you.

Additionally, make sure the helmet you buy has been certified by an appropriate agency like the DOT rating, the CE-marking, or the SNELL standard. They test the helmets for their quality and safety standard.

Jackets

Motorcycle jackets are made from:

  • a robust abrasion-resistant upper layer
  • a breathable inner lining
  • padding and armor covering vulnerable parts like the back and elbows
  • durable double stitching

Motorcycle jackets often have asymmetrical zippers because they are more comfortable in a forward bending position. It should be big enough to cover your body when leaning forward but tight enough, so wind does not enter or pull on loose parts. Buckles, belts, or Velcro fasteners let you tighten the jacket around the hips or wrists.

Pants

Motorcycle pants are made from the same materials, such as leather, Kevlar and breathable GoreTex. They include armor that covers the knees and hip area. Some motorcycle pants can be connected with matching jackets via zipper. More casual motorcycle pants visually look like jeans, but have subtle protective panels covering vulnerable spots. The armor in both jackets and pants can typically be accessed and replaced.

Boots

Motorcycle boots come in different designs from work boot aesthetics to boots with plastic braces that offer additional protection and stability. The first variant is often more comfortable to walk in, while the latter supports during long-distance rides

The best boots cover at least the first third of the lower leg to stabilize and protect the ankle from twisting. Toes and heels are protected with hardened boxes. The soles are slip-resistant. Laces should be able to be tucked away securely.

Gloves

Motorcycle gloves are made from abrasion-resistant materials, in the same fashion as other motorcycle clothing. The fingers and knuckles are protected with hardened plates. The base of the palm has additional padding to cushion impacts and reduce the vibration of the motor and movement. 

The stitching should be durable enough to endure frequent bending. The gloves should be tight to ensure precise control but loose enough not to lessen flexibility. Velcro fastenings allow tightening the gloves around the wrists.

Conclusion

Wearing the right motorcycle gear makes the difference between walking away with a scrape, an injury or long-lasting impediments and death. The durable abrasion resistant materials of motorcycle gear protect your skin from road rash and cuts. Armor and foam absorb impacts and direct their force away from the wearer. They cover the parts of your body that are vulnerable to breaking or critical injuries. 

Make sure to research the gear’s safety certificates and test reviews. When it comes to protecting your health and life, buying protective gear is not an opportunity to save money.

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